Lap Quilts
This summer, as the community service team tossed around ideas of how to put our guild’s talents and generosity to work in 2020-2021, we thought about people who may not be receiving the help or recognition they deserve. We talked about teachers, students, victims of domestic abuse, those who are having trouble buying the food they need, and disabled veterans. During this pandemic, the list of people who are hurting isn’t short. Many projects were considered, but we have decided to make lap quilts.
Residents in assisted living facilities have been particularly hard-hit. Because of the threat of COVID-19 they have been isolated from their friends, family, and even the community around them. As we explored some of these facilities in our area, we contacted The Memory Center in Johns Creek which serves people dealing with dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease. If you have ever known or cared for a person with dementia you know the incredible toll it takes on everyone involved in caring for them. And the residents themselves are daily trying to make sense of a mind that often betrays them.
The Memory Center was especially touched that we would even think of them and reach out to them. They told us they would absolutely be thrilled to receive lap quilts for their residents, both as a gesture of love from us and as a practical way to give warmth! So our goal for this year (at a minimum) is to donate about 50 lap quilts to the residents of The Memory Center.
There isn’t a set size for a lap quilt, but our recommendation is to stay within a range of 36” to 40”. This makes it big enough to provide warmth, but small enough to fit in a wheelchair. The quilts can be square or rectangular, but please stay within that size range.
If you need ideas, we found a website with patterns at https://www.favequilts.com/miscellaneous-quilt-projects/wheelchair-
quilt-patterns. Of course, you can use whatever pattern you choose, we just ask that they be layered and quilted or tied. For the backing you can use cotton, flannel, or even Ultra Plush (such as Minky).
At this point we aren’t sure when we will be meeting in person, so we will let you know how and when we will be collecting your lap quilts. If you have any questions please contact Kathy Nesler (bullochhallquiltguild@gmail.com).
Residents in assisted living facilities have been particularly hard-hit. Because of the threat of COVID-19 they have been isolated from their friends, family, and even the community around them. As we explored some of these facilities in our area, we contacted The Memory Center in Johns Creek which serves people dealing with dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease. If you have ever known or cared for a person with dementia you know the incredible toll it takes on everyone involved in caring for them. And the residents themselves are daily trying to make sense of a mind that often betrays them.
The Memory Center was especially touched that we would even think of them and reach out to them. They told us they would absolutely be thrilled to receive lap quilts for their residents, both as a gesture of love from us and as a practical way to give warmth! So our goal for this year (at a minimum) is to donate about 50 lap quilts to the residents of The Memory Center.
There isn’t a set size for a lap quilt, but our recommendation is to stay within a range of 36” to 40”. This makes it big enough to provide warmth, but small enough to fit in a wheelchair. The quilts can be square or rectangular, but please stay within that size range.
If you need ideas, we found a website with patterns at https://www.favequilts.com/miscellaneous-quilt-projects/wheelchair-
quilt-patterns. Of course, you can use whatever pattern you choose, we just ask that they be layered and quilted or tied. For the backing you can use cotton, flannel, or even Ultra Plush (such as Minky).
At this point we aren’t sure when we will be meeting in person, so we will let you know how and when we will be collecting your lap quilts. If you have any questions please contact Kathy Nesler (bullochhallquiltguild@gmail.com).